4BR has spoken to Hatfield Powerfuel MD, Graham O’Connor, following the news that after 55 consecutive appearances at the Yorkshire Area Championship, he has reluctantly been forced to step down from his conducting duties this year due to ill health.

Stepping down

Graham has been diagnosed with cryptogenic fibrosis of the lungs, which allied to an ongoing throat problem has meant that he has had to take the decision to step down from conducting Hatfield in the Championship Section in Sunday.

They are such a wonderful bunch and have been so understanding, but I felt that on this occasion it was the right thing to step down for the contestGraham O'Connor

Heartbroken

"I’m heartbroken," he told 4BR. "It all started with a cough about six months ago which got worse and worse, and which finally led me to see a specialist. A further examination identified the problems with my lungs and I was due to have an operation about a week ago. That has now been postponed, but the breathlessness has meant it has been impossible to undertake full rehearsals with the band."

Right thing

Although Graham has tried to give his usual 100%, he has bowed to the inevitable on this occasion. "I just couldn’t give the band the commitment I wanted due to the problems. They are such a wonderful bunch and have been so understanding, but I felt that on this occasion it was the right thing to step down for the contest."

Quick return

Graham is hopeful that the problems with his health can be resolved quickly though. "I’ve seen the specialists and they seem to think things can be back to normal if I follow their instructions and take things a bit easier for a little while," he said.

Good progress

"I’ll make sure I’ll be at the contest and I hope to be back to full fitness in the next few weeks or so, but this has been a real blow, especially after the band has been making such good progress in recent months."

Hatfield will be making a formal announcement about who will be taking them to the contest after the weekend.